MICHAEL CARRICK is enjoying his first week as Middlesbrough head coach – and expects things to crank up to another level when he takes charge of his first game as Boro boss in front of more than 3,000 travelling fans at Deepdale at the weekend.

Having been appointed on Monday afternoon, Carrick has spent the last three days overseeing preparations for Saturday’s game against Preston as well as conducting his first press conferences as Boro boss.

He claims to have felt instantly at home, and is adamant he does not feel as though he has taken over a side struggling for form and confidence close to the foot of the Championship table.

“It’s been very good,” said Carrick. “I’ve really, really enjoyed it. It’s been everything I’d hoped for so far. I’m only a couple of days in, and it’s been pretty hectic, so I haven’t really had time to take a deep breath, but that’s the beauty of it and that’s what I’m really enjoying the challenge of.

“Everyone’s just made me feel so welcome and at home – all of the staff have been amazing. In and around the training ground, it’s a really good vibe and feeling, and there’s a good energy at the moment. We need to carry that on and build on it, but it feels quite natural to be here to be honest. It feels like I’ve been here longer than two or three days, which is a good sign.”

Carrick has made a point of being extremely hands-on during the coaching sessions so far, working alongside newly-appointed first-team coach, Jonathan Woodgate, on the training pitches at Rockliffe Park.

He has been stepping into sessions to issue one-to-one instructions to specific players, and while he accepts it is important to avoid overwhelming his squad with too much information in a short space of time, he clearly has some fundamentals points and ideas he wants to convey as quickly as possible.

“I think I’ve been hands on, to a point,” he said. “I enjoy the grass, I enjoy coaching and I enjoy being in and around the players, and trying to improve them. It’s been the first two days, and the first game is coming up pretty fast, so it’s been about getting messages across.

“It’s been about the balance of getting some key messages across, but not trying to give too many and overcomplicating things. I love being in and around the boys on the grass, I think that’s where I work best.”

Attention will switch to the grass at Deepdale on Saturday, with Carrick’s first game in full-time management pitting him against a Preston side that boast the best defensive record in the league despite having shipped four goals at Blackpool in their most recent outing.

More than 3,000 Teessiders will be travelling across the Pennines, which should ensure Carrick is afforded a rapturous reception when he steps out as Boro boss for the first time.

“I’ll be hugely proud,” he said. “It’ll be a big moment for me personally, but at the same time, I won’t let it be too big. I’m here to do business and we’re here to win a football match. I won’t let that emotion get the better of me, for sure, but somewhere in the back of my mind, it’ll be a nice moment to get used to.

“I’ll have my family at the game, but it’s really not about me, it’s about the players and performing and winning the game. We’re taking a travelling support of more than 3,000 over there, and that’s what the game is all about.”

Carrick will assess a couple of minor injury issues in the next 24 hours, with Matt Clarke still understood to be struggling with the nerve problem that has kept him sidelined for the last few weeks.

“There’s always the odd niggle here and there,” he said. “We’re waiting on a couple of the boys to see how they come through, but all in all, we’re alright. We’re pretty strong and we’re looking forward to the game.”